Security seal

ABSTRACT

A security seal embodying a hard core attached to a tape end and having a slot therein to receive the other tape end, wherein the assembly is enclosed in a deformable sleeve.

United States WIN 1 1 1 1 3,737,185

Reed June 5, 1973 54 SECURITY SEAL 1,712,565 5/1929 Koroschetz ..292/310 [76] Inventor: Sumner Reed, 335 Cottage Hm, 324,547 8/1885 Brooks ..292 310 Elmhurst 60126 Primary ExaminerBernard A. Gelak Filedi 1971 Assistant Examiner-Garry Moore Appl. No.: 186,904

[52] U.S. Cl ..292/308, 24/21 [51] Int. Cl. .3651! 55/06 [58] Field of Search ..292/3083 l 5 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,010,925 12/1911 Lawler et al ..292/308 Attorney-Elmer L. Zwickel {57] ABSTRACT A security seal embodying a hard core attached to a tape end and having a slot therein to receive the other tape end, wherein the assembly is enclosed in a deformable sleeve.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SECURITY SEAL This invention relates to improvements in nonreusable seals for trailer doors, pouches, bags and other containers, which is constructed in such manner that utmost security is obtained and any attempted rupture of the seal becomes apparent upon mere observation.

More specifically, the seal utilizes a flat tape as a shackle. The tape has fixed on one end thereof a hard non-deformable core, preferably metal, suitably formed to receive the other end of the tape threaded therethrough and the assembly is enclosed in a soft.

metal sealing sleeve or element which is crushed or crimped by a sealing tool to prevent its removal. The strength of the resultant seal can, because of the presence of the hard core, be tested by tugging on the tape and the seal will not break under normal stress condi: tions. Preferably, the sealing tool bears identification indicia which will be impressed on one or both surfaces of the sealing element. Further, the use of a tape facilitates the placement of a serial number or other identification thereon.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a seal of the character referred to.

Another object is to provide a seal with a hard metal core.

Another object is to provide a seal including a hard metal core having tangs thereon to embed in a soft sleeve fitted thereover and crushed therearound.

Another object is to provide a seal of such character that it will withstand normal stresses and which can be tested by tugging.

Another object is to provide a seal including a nondeformable core through which the free end of the associated tape is threaded prior to sealing.

Another object is to provide a seal that is not expensive or difficult to manufacture, which is simple to use and very efficient in its use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the seal in use.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the seal showing a portion of the tape broken away.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seal prior to securement.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the core.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the seal.

Referring to the exemplary disclosure of the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, the seal includes a tape 11 comprised of a strip of tough material, such as metal, of a length requisite for the purposes to which it is to be put. The tape 11 has securedfirmly at one of its ends 11a, a hard core 12. As best shown in FIG. 4, the core 12 consists ofa piece of hard metal formed on one end with an upstanding flange 13 having a slot 14 therein to receive freely therethrough the attached tape end 11a which may be secured firmly thereto as by a rivet 15, or otherwise. Preferably, the secured end of the tape is of sufficient length to extend beyond the free end of the core. The base portion 16 of said core has a transverse slot 17 therein spaced inwardly some distance from its free edge.

To use, a deformable metal sealing element or sleeve 18, which may be lead, is threaded loosely onto the free end llb of tape 11 and said tape end is then threaded through the slot 17 and carried back upon itself as shown. The sealing element 18 then is pushed along the tape into enveloping position over the hard core and the connected tape ends and into abuttment with the core flange 13. Said element18 is then deformed or crushed by a suitable crimping tool (not shown) so as to be immovable. The presence of flange 13, serves also to position the tool over the sleeve only. Preferably, the core 12 has one or more sharp tangs l9 thereon which embed themselves in the soft metal to further secure the assembly. Also, because the slot is wider than the tape extending therethrough, some of the soft metal may enter thereinto. Inasmuch as the ends of the tape are exposed, the seal can be examined externally to determine its holding power whereas former known seals are difficult to examine because all scaling is done internally of the exterior seal.

Because both tape ends are anchored directly to the hard metal core 12, the seal is very strong and will resist normal stress. In fact, the holding power of the seal can be tested by tugging on the tape without coming loose. Any attempt to rupture the seal is resisted by the hard core 12 and, should the soft seal or sleeve 18 be mutilated, it will be evident that the seal has been tampered with. As a further precautionary measure, the sealing tool can be provided with means to impress or emboss an identification number 21 on either or both surfaces of the seal hence should the seal be removed and an unauthorized seal placed thereon, such seal would lack the correct identification number and thus give evidence of tampering. Tape identification can be assured by providing thereon an identification number 22 or the like thereon.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as details of the structure may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described.

I claim:

1. A seal comprising a length of tape, a hard nondeformable core secured at one end to one end of said tape, a slot in the other end of said core to receive the other end of the tape threaded therethrough, and a deformable sleeve embracing the hard core and tape ends connected to said core said core having a flange against which the sleeve is abutted.

2. The seal recited in claim 1, in which the core has tangs engageable by the deformable sleeve.

3. The seal recited in claim 1, in which the core comprises a flat plate having said flange on one end.

4. The seal recited in claim 3, in which the flange is slotted to receive the secured end of the tape threaded therethrough.

5. The seal recited in claim 4, in which said tape end is secured firmly to the plate.

6. The seal recited in claim 3, in which a rivet secures said tape end to the plate.

7. The seal recited in claim 1, in which the core is comprised of sheet metal.

8. The seal recited in claim 1, in which the deformable sleeve is comprised of soft material.

9. The seal recited in claim 1, in which identification indicia is provided on the tape and on the deformable sleeve. 

1. A seal comprising a length of tape, a hard non-deformable core secured at one end to one end of said tape, a slot in the other end of said core to receive the other end of the tape threaded therethrough, and a deformable sleeve embracing the hard core and tape ends connected to said core said core having a flange against which the sleeve is abutted.
 2. The seal recited in claim 1, in which the core has tangs engageable by the deformable sleeve.
 3. The seal recited in claim 1, in which the core comprises a flat plate having said flange on one end.
 4. The seal recited in claim 3, in which the flange is slotted to receive the secured end of the tape threaded therethrough.
 5. The seal recited in claim 4, in which said tape end is secured firmly to the plate.
 6. The seal recited in claim 3, in which a rivet secures said tape end to the plate.
 7. The seal recited in claim 1, in which the core is comprised of sheet metal.
 8. The seal recited in claim 1, in which the deformable sleeve is comprised of soft material.
 9. The seal recited in claim 1, in which identification indicia is provided on the tape and on the deformable sleeve. 